Belt Conveyors

Why choose one?

• Efficiency: keeps materials flowing continuously instead of relying on manual carrying
• Accuracy: less handling means fewer errors and less product damage
• Lower labour costs: fewer workers needed to move materials manually
• Safety: cuts down on the lifting and repetitive motion that lead to workplace injuries, worth a read if you want the wider picture on manual handling risk in Australian workplaces
• Versatility: useful well beyond manufacturing and warehousing, distribution centres and material recovery facilities handling high volumes all lean on these systems too

Things to weigh up

A belt conveyor isn’t always the right call:

• Heavy or abrasive material: tough loads wear through a belt faster than they would a chain system, a chain conveyor holds up better here
• Exposed moving parts: belts need proper guarding around pulleys and drive points to stay safe on site
• Belt wear and tracking: belts need regular checks to stay aligned and in good condition, which is why ongoing servicing matters

If you’re not sure whether belt or chain suits your site better, talk to our team and we’ll help you figure it out.

Custom builds and configuration

We build both fixed and mobile systems, tailored to your specifications rather than off the shelf. That covers straight-line, incline, decline and curved layouts, in whatever length, width and height your site needs, plus manual or fully automated setups.

Design, drive position, belt speed and emergency stopping points are all configured around how your site actually operates, so the system fits into your existing setup rather than the other way around. Get in touch and we’ll talk through what you need.

In addition to belt conveyors, Material Recovery Solutions also builds chain conveyors for heavier material handling needs. And if sustainability’s part of your decision, here’s how conveyors support zero-waste goals in Australia.

What to think about before you buy

The right setup depends on a handful of factors, not just budget:

• Material type: light paper and cardboard need a different setup than heavy timber or scrap metal
• Volume: higher throughput usually means wider belts or a stronger build
• Space: tight layouts might need angled runs or a more compact design
• Speed: needs to match whatever machine it’s feeding, too fast or too slow both cause problems downstream
• Safety features: guarding and emergency stops need to be built in from the start, not bolted on after

We work through all of this with you before anything gets built, so the system fits your site rather than the other way around.

Is it worth the investment?

Upfront cost is only part of the picture. A well-designed conveyor system earns that cost back through:

• Less downtime
• Lower labour costs
• Higher throughput
• A safer site
• Equipment that lasts

Over time, that adds up to more than the sticker price ever suggested.

Works with your shredders and balers

A conveyor rarely runs on its own. Feed it into a shredder or baler at the right pace and the whole line moves better, less jamming, more consistent output, fewer stoppages. Read more about integrating conveyors with shredders and balers.

FAQ